Vet Hiking with Dog

Getting started west of the mountain

What I meant by the title is a military veteran (me) out hiking with his dog (Becca).  I honestly don't think very often about the time I spent in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Lawrence, DDG-4 (a guided-missile destroyer).  I started out as a Radarman and ended up as an Operations Specialist.  If I hadn't googled it just now I wouldn't have known that the latter rating still exists in the modern navy.  Now my military service amnesia can kick into effect again until Veterans Day next year.  By the way, Becca and I had a nice, long hike this morning.

Mostly-green leaves still clinging to Ocotillos

Through cold air in a deep arroyo

Touch of color

Growing alongside a gorge

Mountain bikers (though you can see only one)

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

Heading up a steep hill

The rugged Organ Mountains

Queen of the hill

Bend in the road

Desert Marigolds still hanging on